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Friday, February 28, 2014

Today is my stop on the blog tour for Four Years Later by Monica Murphy, hosted by Inkslinger PR. I am in love with this series and Four Years Later did not disappoint. Check out my review and enter the giveaway.

Four Years
Later

(One
Week Girlfriend #4)

Author:
Monica Murphy

Publisher:
Bantam

Publication
Date: March 4, 2014

Genre:
New Adult

Source:
eARC via Inkslinger PR

~Synopsis~

Over. That about sums up everything in my life.
Suspended from my college football team and forced to cut back my hours at The
District bar because of my crappy grades, I can’t keep turning to my sister,
Fable, and her pro-football playing husband, Drew, to bail me out. I just can’t
seem to find my own way. Weed and sex are irresistible temptations—and it’s
messed up that I secretly hand over money to our junkie mom. A tutor is the
last thing I want right now—until I get a look at her.

Chelsea is not my
type at all. She’s smart and totally shy. I’m pretty sure she’s even a virgin.
But when she gives me the once over with those piercing blue eyes, I’m really
over. But in a different way. I won’t deny her ass is killer, but it’s her brain
and the way she seems to crave love—like no one’s ever given her any—that make
me want her more than any girl I’ve ever met. But what would someone as
seemingly together as her ever see in a screwed up guy like me?

~Review~

I have been looking forward to this book since
I read One Week Girlfriend several months ago. I am absolutely, unequivocally
in love with this series and Owen and Chelsea give Drew and Fable a run for
their money in terms of favorite couple. Owen and Chelsea are so different from
one another but they bring out the best in each other. This is what makes them
so perfect together.

Chelsea is quiet, shy and a bit awkward. She’s
a prodigy and a college junior at the age of 19. Between school, working at a
diner and tutoring, she doesn’t have a lot of time for fun. While her roommate
and best friend, Kari, tries to get her out of her comfort zone, Chelsea isn’t
having it. In fact, she’s a bit uptight. Owen is having a little too much fun.
Instead of going to class and studying, he’s drinking, partying, smoking weed and
enjoying the ladies. However, if he keeps doing what he’s doing, he’s bound to
fail his classes and be kicked off the football team. When Chelsea becomes Owen’s
tutor, they both get more than they bargained for. However, Owen’s keeping a
few secrets and Chelsea has some of her own. Will they trust each other enough
to fully open up or will the secrets ruin everything before it really starts?

I loved the chemistry between these two.
Chelsea doesn’t trust men and has never really been attracted to a guy before;
until Owen walks in. She is instantly taken with him and she is definitely
surprised by this. I really liked her inner turmoil as she tried to deny the
blossoming feelings that she developed for Owen. Considering everything she’s
dealt with concerning her mom and dad, it’s understandable that she would be
skeptical about love so falling for Owen is the last thing she ever thought
would happen. Owen doesn’t really believe in love and he’s never given any
woman a second thought beyond getting them into his bed; until he meets
Chelsea. She gets under his skin instantly and I think he was more than surprised
by that. The moment he met her, no other girl would do. When they are together, they have this amazing connection and Owen opens Chelsea up to so much she was missing in life. He shows her pleasure and feelings she never knew existed. In turn, she helps Owen see that he is worth something and that he is capable of loving someone and more importantly, being loved by someone.

Watching Owen and Chelsea fall in love was so fantastic
because they truly complimented each other. Owen brought out the fun and
spontaneous side of Chelsea and she made Owen want to be a better man. He has
really struggled with his desire to please his mom and despite the way she
treats him, Owen can’t help but continue to secretly help her and crave her love.
His mom is truly a terrible person and I felt so bad for Owen that he had to
deal with her. I think discovering love and true happiness with Chelsea showed
Owen that he didn’t need his mom’s love and that she didn’t deserve his. I felt like Chelsea had to be the adult when it came to her mom and she was always holding her together and supporting her when her mom should have been the one being strong for Chelsea. I think this is why being with Owen excites her so much. She gets to be young and have someone else take care of her for a change. Together,
these two are just so right and they really steam up the pages as well.

When I finished Four Years Later, I wanted more
Owen and Chelsea. That is what Monica does with her writing. She does such
amazing job of making you fall in love with the characters that you just don’t
want to say goodbye. The plot flowed so smoothly that I was engrossed from the
beginning to the end. I’m gonna need an “Owen and Chelsea Forever” book.

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Monica Murphy is a native Californian who lives in the foothills below Yosemite. A wife and mother of three, she writes New Adult and contemporary romance for Bantam and Avon. She is the author of One Week Girlfriend and Second Chance Boyfriend.

Thursday, February 27, 2014

We're so excited that Alyssa Rose Ivy's THE HAZARDS OF A ONE NIGHT STAND is finally here!!! THE
HAZARDS OF A ONE NIGHT STAND is a New Adult contemporary romance and is a part of Alyssa Rose
Ivy’s Hazards Series. It is priced at just $.99 right now. This will last for a limited time only to
celebrate the release!

~Synopsis~

One small town boy, one girl who wants more, one roll in the hay...

Hooking up with your high school crush is a bad idea, a really bad idea. It was only supposed to be one
night, one brief departure from my real life, but nothing ever works out exactly the way you plan.
Colton Waters was everything from my past that didn't fit into my present, so why did he have to show
up at my college and pledge the one frat I couldn't avoid?
Because nothing is ever meant to happen just once. At least not the life changing things that mean the
difference between falling apart and falling in love.

~Excerpt~

Colt wrapped an arm around my
waist and pulled me closer. “No. I’d rather bother you.” There was something
kind of sexy about the motion, something more confident than his usual goofy
flirting. His hand felt nice resting on my hip, so I let it stay. Was this
really the same Colt? Since when did his touch have that kind of effect on me?
“When did you get back to town?” “About two hours ago.” “You didn’t wait long
to come out.” I took a big sip of the drink. It was starting to taste a lot
better. “I took time for a shower.” “That was thoughtful of you.” “Planning on
getting close to me tonight?” He watched me intently. “Maybe.” The flirtatious
word flew out of my mouth without me realizing it. The alcohol and that smile
of his was making me forget where I was. “Sorry.” “Why are you sorry?” He moved
his hand, turning me and wrapping his other arm around me so my body was
pressed against his. “Colton…” “Mallory…” I laughed. “What are you doing?”
“What am I doing? You’re the one telling me you might be getting close to me
tonight.” His hand slid down slightly, settling below my hip. His touch felt so
good. “Your birthday passed, right? You’re nineteen now?” He laughed that deep,
throaty laugh of his. “I’m going to take it as a good sign that you’re checking
to make sure I’m old enough.” “I’m not supposed to be into younger guys.” “I’m
three months younger than you. I can’t help that my parents held me back a
grade.” He leaned back against an old oak tree, pulling me along with him. The
motion had me leaning into his chest. “You’ve gotten hotter.” I couldn’t
believe I’d said the words out loud. I also couldn’t believe I was thinking
about Colton that way again. He laughed once more. “So have you, although I
wouldn’t have thought it was possible.” I took another sip of my drink. “When
did you get this cute?” “Are you implying you haven’t been ready to jump me for
the last five years?” “I’ve never thought about it before tonight.” The words
weren’t exactly true, but I hadn’t thought about it in a while. “But you are thinking
about it now?” He grinned, moving his hands even lower so they cradled my ass.
“Maybe.” His hands sent a thrill through me, reminding me of just how long it
had been since a guy had touched me that way. “That’s the second maybe you’ve
given me. How am I supposed to make that into a yes?” He took the bottle from
my hand and dropped it down on the ground next to his empty cup. The remaining
liquid seeped out onto the dirt. “I don’t know. It’s your job to figure that
out.” I ran my now free hand down his chest. It was firmer and more muscular
than I expected. “My job, huh? I like the sound of that.” His lips tickled my
ear. “I like the sound of anything involving you.” He took my hand and led me
further into the grouping of trees. It wasn’t a dense forest or anything, but I
knew he was looking for privacy. I didn’t object when he gently leaned me back
into another tree. I closed my eyes, ready to feel his lips and hands on my
body. I was horrible at knowing what to do in those situations. I needed the
guy to take control. His lips brushed against mine as he rested his hand on my
stomach. He slipped a few fingers underneath my shirt. “Am I earning a yes, or
do I have more work to do?” he whispered with his lips right next to mine. “You
have more work.” I kept my eyes closed, taking in a breath as his hand moved
further up my shirt.

From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering.

Shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag #YABound, post it here in the comments, or grab the adorable button above and share it on your blog! We want to know :-)This week my swoon moment is from Four Years Later by Monica Murphy.

"His lips firm, delicious, and precise. He kisses me as if he knows exactly what I like, knows exactly what I want. His tongue slides into my open mouth and dances delicately with mine, sending a flurry of shivers throughout my naked body. I clutch him close, devouring him right back, and I hope he knows how much this moment, this kiss, in a dark hotel room with minimal barriers between us, means to me."

Monica Murphy is one hell of a writer and I have loved everything of hers that I've read. Four Years Later ROCKED and I adore Owen and Chelsea. Come back tomorrow to check out my review as part of the blog tour.

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

We are extremely excited to share the covers for the wicked hot Seductive Nights Series, Lauren's first erotic romance series. The first novel in this erotic romance is NIGHT AFTER NIGHT, releasing May 12 and can be read as a standalone romance. The prequel novella releasing with it called FIRST NIGHT is a reworking of the previously released ebook FIRST NIGHT AND EVER AFTERS. It's no longer available on retailers, but will be republished in its new form in May and we can't wait!! Don't miss the beautiful covers below and the giveaway!

Message from Lauren:I am having a blast writing Clay and Julia's love story. They are a super sexy and feisty couple and I
cannot wait to share them with readers! Clay is all alpha male hot guy in a suit with a tender heart, and
Julia is one of my favorite heroines. I do feel I should warn readers -- he's my dirtiest of my dirty-talking
heroes, and if you've read Playing With Her Heart that's saying something :)

An erotic novella from the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Lauren Blakely...
It was only supposed to be one night...

When the sexy-as-sin lawyer walked into her bar in San Francisco,Julia Bell simply wanted a break from
the troubles that kept chasing her. That escape came in the form of sinfully handsome Clay Nichols, a
man who captivates her mind AND turns her inside out with pleasure.The attraction is electric and they
share one scorchingly hot night together, but they also discover there is more than just off-the-charts
chemistry; the connection between them runs deep. Clay
never thought he'd return to New York with this woman still on his mind. But he can't get her out of his
system, and he needs more of her...He wants more than just the first night...

*This is a prequel novella to the erotic romance NIGHT AFTER NIGHT.

A sensual, emotionally-charged erotic romance from the New York Timesand USA Today
Bestselling author Lauren Blakely...

He plays to win and isn't afraid to break all the rules...

Fiery bartender Julia Bell has been hit on by her fair share of customers, but has never been tempted
to dip so much as a toe in that particular dating pool. She wants a man who can claim her body AND
captivate her mind. Enter Clay Nichols, a lawyer with a dirty mind and a mouth to match. Confident,
sexy, and commanding, he takes Julia to new heights of pleasure. And after one unforgettable weekend
together,he craves more of her.

If only she hadn't taken off without saying goodbye...

Julia has no room in her life for commitment, not while she has serious trouble breathing down her
neck, thanks to the criminal dabblings of a former flame. She doesn't want to involve anyone she cares
about in the kind of danger that's chasing her and that's the problem with Clay-she's falling for him.
Hard. He makes her heart race, and sets her body on fire.
He's determined to keep her in his life, no matter the cost. She's the woman he desires in every way. But
when the past threatens to destroy any chance at a future, she has to make a choice -keep running, or
give love a shot with a man who can hold her imagination, and her heart, night after night...

NIGHT AFTER NIGHT TEASER:

Her eyes darkened with lust
as she stared at him. Her reaction madehim hotter, harder. "I'm being
punished for turning you on?" Another shake of his head. "No. You are
being rewarded for turning meon. But we're doing it my way.You
teased the f*&k out of me, and nowI want to watch you squirm. Crawl up on
my bed and get on your hands and knees." She held up her wrists, a sexy wink
in her eyes. "I've been waiting for this." "Go, woman. And leave
your shoes and stockings on."

We hope you're ready for the excerpt and teasers we have for you today for Melody Grace's
UNCONDITIONAL, because YOWZA! UNCONDITIONAL is a contemporary romance, and it is the
most heart-wrenching and latest novel in The Beachwood Bay Series. It is being released on March
18th, 2014, so add it to your TBR pile now!

"I’ve spent my whole life chasing perfection: perfect looks, perfect man, perfect home. But in one brutal
moment, I realized it was all just a beautiful lie…"

Carina MacKenzie is fleeing from her past. Picking up the wreckage of her shattered dreams, she seeks
comfort in the only place she’s ever felt safe: Beachwood Bay.
Garrett Sawyer isn’t looking to be anyone’s savior. Scarred by old betrayals, he’s sworn never to put his
heart on the line again -- especially not for a damaged, high-maintenance girl like Carina. But passion
knows no logic, and soon, their reckless chemistry is making him forget his bitter vows.
Two damaged hearts. The hope of true love. As their passion blazes out of control, Carina and Garrett
struggle to escape their legacies of hurt. But can you ever outrun the past? And when everything is on
the line, can they trust enough to build a love that's unconditional?

*This book contains adult situations and explicit content. 17+*

~Excerpt~

A noise comes. A shadow rears up in
the dark. I scream.

“What the hell?”

Panic claws my chest and I scream again, reaching blindly for something to
fight him off. Squatters and junkies and all kinds of dangerous men fill my
mind as my hand closes around something solid on the hall table and I swing
with everything I’ve got.

“Goddamn!” The figure reels back, stumbling against the wall.

“Get away from me!” I cry, shaking. My heart is racing so fast I think it might
beat right out of my chest. I grip the object in my hand tighter. “Don’t touch
me!”

“I’m not trying to touch you!” the man roars, angry. “I just want to know what
you’re doing breaking into my goddamn house!”

The light flips on. I reel back, blinded by the sudden glare, but as the daze
clears and my eyes flick back into focus, I see the man in front of me for the
first time.

I stop breathing.

He’s half-naked, that’s the first thing I notice. Jesus, his body is like
nothing I’ve ever seen before: tanned bronze and chiseled like a Greek god, but
not like the guys I’ve dated, all waxed and pumped from hours at a fancy gym.
This guy is real, raw, all muscle and power, with a web of dark tattoos snaking
over the bicep of his right arm. I feel a flush roll through me, hot with
prickling awareness, but I can’t look away as I take in his tight, sculpted
six-pack abs, and the trail of dark hair leading down to the waistband of his
navy briefs…

I snap my eyes up to his face, blushing. Then I look at him for real and it all
clicks into place.

“Oh.” My heart clenches in my chest as I recognize him for the first time.
“It’s you.”

Unshaven face. Messy bronzed bed-head hair. And a pair of stormy ocean-blue
eyes scowling at me like I’m the last person on earth he wants to see.

And, I can say, the feeling is entirely mutual.

“It’s me,” Garrett Sawyer agrees in a low, Southern drawl. He strides over and
snatches the vase from my hand, setting it down on the table with a thud. “Now,
you want to tell me what the hell you’re doing creeping around my house at
three in the goddamn morning?”

I catch my breath, the flush of desire mingling with irritation. I nearly had a
heart attack trying to get in here, and he’s the one with an attitude?

“It’s not your house,” I snap, my heart still racing. “It’s mine.”

“Well, if you wanna get technical, it belongs to Emerson,” Garrett corrects me,
glaring. “But I’m the only one here with permission to stay.”

“Why do you need a place?” I try to pull myself together, smoothing back my
hair and yanking down my dress. “Don’t you live above that dirty old bar?”

“Nah.” Garrett paces closer, his full lips stretching into a lazy grin.
“Usually I just go straight out back and roll around in the filth like a pig.”

His smile is heart-stopping, a whiskey smile, honeyed and dangerous and just
inches away from me now. Despite my irritation, I feel another wave of heat
roll through me, automatically rising to his nearness like a magnet spinning
off its axis to find true north.

Damn.

I ignore the kick of my pulse and fold my arms across my chest. “You’re disgusting,”
I retort, ignoring the shiver in my bloodstream.

“And you’re trespassing.” His gaze hungrily drifts over my body. I glance down,
and see the rip has torn the skirt to the top of my thigh. I blush, yanking it
shut.

“Look, I’m tired, OK?” I exclaim, self-conscious. “I’ve been driving all night,
I didn’t know anyone would be here. I just need a place to sleep. Can we save
all your territorial bullshit for the morning?”

Garrett raises an eyebrow at me, like he’s amused. I brace myself for more
arguing, but instead, he gives a casual shrug. “Why not?”

My mouth drops open, but before I can complain, there’s a noise from above us.

“Garrett?” a female voice sounds, and then a woman appears at the top of the
stairs. She’s wearing an oversized T-shirt that barely skims her tanned thighs,
her dark hair mussed up, makeup smudged around her eyes. “What’s going on?”

I roll my eyes, watching as Garrett flashes her one of his easy grins. “I’ll be
right up, sugar. And then I want my T-shirt back.”

“Come and get it.” The woman giggles, then disappears back to the bedroom,
leaving us alone in the foyer again.

“Honey?” I challenge him. “Sugar? Why not just admit you don’t even know her
name?”

Garrett smirks at me. “Sure I do. It’s Lauren, or Laurie. Or maybe it was
Lorna…” He frowns, pretending to think, and even though I know he’s just doing
it to get a rise out of me, I can’t help but make a dismissive snort.

“Must be true love.”

Garrett narrows his eyes. “What I do with my life is none of your goddamn
business. So why don’t you quit bitching and let me get back to sleep.”

I blink, thrown by the sudden change in his tone. “I’m not the one standing
around giving me a hard time,” I retort. “I’d be asleep by now if you hadn’t
come prowling around, trying to play hero.”

“Whatever you say, darlin’.” Garrett turns away and starts climbing the stairs.
Then he pauses, turning back to me with a wicked grin, and says, “But you might
want to wear earplugs. Lorna likes it loud.

ABOUT MELODY GRACE:
Melody Grace is the USA Today bestselling author of UNBROKEN and UNTOUCHED. A small-town girl
turned SoCal beach-lover, she spent years with her nose in a book before deciding it was time to write
them for herself. She loves bad boys, good books, and pistachio-flavored ice-cream.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Today is my stop on the blog tour for Worth the Chance by Vi Keeland, hosted by ATOMR Tours. Check out my review and enter the giveaway!

Worth the Chance

(MMA
Fighter #2)

Author:
Vi Keeland

Publisher:
Createspace

Publication
Date: February 17, 2014

Genre:
New Adult

Source:
eARC via ATOMR Tours

~Synopsis~

Meet
Liv MichaelsIt may have been seven years, but I’d know him anywhere.
Sure, he’s grown, filled out in all the right places, but his captivating blue
eyes and cocky grin are exactly the way I remember. Even though I’d much rather
forget.

Liv Michaels is
almost there. She’s smart, determined and weeks away from landing the job she’s
dreamed about for years. Time healed old wounds, even her broken heart from the
devastation of being crushed by her first love.

Meet Vince StoneWomen love a fighter,
especially a good one. Lucky for me, I’m damn good. But there’s one woman that
isn’t interested. Not again, anyway.

Vince ‘The
Invincible’ Stone is every woman’s fantasy…strong, sexy, confident and
completely in control. Growing up surrounded by chaos, he’s learned never to
get too attached. Love will drag you down. He adores women, treats them well,
puts their own needs before his own…for the night anyway. With the biggest
fight of his life coming up, his focus should be on training.

When fate brings
Vince & Liv back together again, there’s no denying the chemistry is still
there. But can Vince erase the old scars their past left behind? Or will Liv
hurt him instead.

~Review~

I love a good book about a fighter and Vince Stone
did not disappoint me. I was instantly immersed in this book and it was such an
easy read. It never dulled or felt lacking and I found myself glued to my
kindle every spare minute, wanting to know what would happen to Vince and Liv.

Vince and Liv have a history and after not
seeing each other for 7 years, since high school, they are both shocked when
they run into each other again, with Liv responsible for writing an article on
Vince. She is definitely affected by seeing Vince again and it’s clear that she
was really hurt by him at one time. However, Vince wasn’t unaffected by seeing
Liv and it was obvious to me that he had some real feelings for her as well. I
really liked that there was no pussyfooting around. They instantly reconnected
and the book focused on the relationship they were building and all of the
things they had to overcome.

I was definitely a fan of the chemistry and
passion between these two. I was riveted by the ease with which they interacted
with one another and how palpable the tension and attraction was between them.
Vince is definitely a dominant man but Liv brings out the soft side in him and
I love when a woman does that to a man. She is definitely the woman he has
always wanted and needed in his life and I really liked the transformation in
Vince from the beginning to the end, thanks to Liv. They had some very sexy love scenes and they
were steaming up the pages.

One of the things I really liked about this
book was that there was an interesting plot that was just has spell binding as
the chemistry and passion in the romance. Liv is keeping a secret from Vince
and while you and I know that it’s only to protect him, I can see how it would
be hard convincing him of that when he finds out. Likewise, Vince is ashamed of
his upbringing and he tries to shield this part of his life from Liv but by doing
that, he’s not really letting her in and that can put strain on a relationship.
I liked how supportive and understanding Liv is when Vince brings her into that
part of his life. She really proved to him that she has genuine feelings for
him and she always has. On the other hand, I was a little disappointed in the
way that Vince handled the situation with Liv’s secret. I understand his
initial reaction but I felt like he didn’t really give Liv a chance to explain
and I definitely wanted to kick him for some of the decisions he made.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I felt
like the plot flowed really well and the writing was excellent. I enjoyed the
character development, the mixture of romance and action and I loved the
chemistry with Vince and Liv. I felt like the author really balanced everything
well and I never got bored or felt like the sex overshadowed the rest of the
book. I’m definitely excited to read more!

Vi Keeland is a native New Yorker with three children that occupy most of her free time, which she complains about often, but wouldn't change for the world. She is a bookworm and has been known to read her kindle at stop lights, while styling her hair, cleaning, walking, during sporting events, and frequently while pretending to work. She is a boring attorney by day, and an exciting smut author by night!

About Me

I am a financial operations manager and a book obsessed blogger. Starbucks gets me through the day while books get me through the night. I love, love, love to read. I am a multi-tasker. I read when I cook, I read when I workout, I read when I paint my nails. I absolutely love music and love reading a book with music in the background or my ipod in my ears. My favorite candy is sour gummy worms and I love peanut butter. I often laugh out loud when I read something funny in a book. I have a 5 year old Alaskan Malamute and a 2 year old Golden Retriever. My favorite TV shows are Friends, Psych and I LOVE Duck Dynasty. I hate love triangles but always get wrapped up in them anyways.I mostly read and review new adult and young adult and adult contemporary novels. However, I do throw in a different genre once and a while to mix it up, usually being paranormal or dystopian. There is nothing better than drinking a latte, reading a book and listening to music. I decided to start this blog because I love to read and share my thoughts and ideas on all things book related. I also enjoy helping authors promote their books and spread the word. I hope to make new friends and inspire others to read some of my favorite books too.